Brad Paisley defends controversial new track amid online backlash

By Anonymous

Tuesday, April 09, 2013

The pair's track, Accidental Racist, prompted a backlash from fans due to its sensitive subject matter, with Paisley's lyrics detailing the racial tensions of the American south, and LL Cool J documenting his time in New York.

Paisley sings, "I try to put myself in your shoes and that's a good place to begin. Now my chains are gold but I'm still misunderstood. I want you to get paid but be a slave I never could... I'd love to buy you a beer, conversate and clear the air but I see that red flag and I think you wish I wasn't here."

LL Cool J raps, "Dear Mr. White Man, I wish you understood what the world is really like when you're living in the hood. Just because my pants are sagging doesn't mean I'm up to no good."

After the song garnered a mainly negative reaction, Paisley explained his work to Entertainment Weekly, saying, "I think that (the song) comes from an honest place in both cases, and that's why it's on there and why I'm so proud of it. This isn't a stunt. This isn't something that I just came up with just to be sort of shocking or anything like that. I knew it would be, but I'm sort of doing it in spite of that, really."

He also took to Twitter.com to warn fans his upcoming album is similarly complex, writing, "So, as you buy this album, I hope it triggers emotions. I hope you feel joy, heartache, triumph, surprise; you laugh, cry, nudge someone beside you...

"Cause I wouldn't change a thing. This is a record meant to be far from easy listening. But fun. Like life. Have a ball, ya'll."